GB2070424A - Bedding connecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for connecting together two pieces of flexible material especially the cover of a duvet to another piece of bedding located on the bed or to a piece of material connected to such another piece of bedding, includes a location member 77, Fig. 14 and a locking member 60, Fig. 14. The location member is such that a portion of the duvet cover and/or the flexible material may be arranged about the location member and the locking member is such to embrace both the location member and the embracing portion or portions of the duvet and/or the flexible material. The device is adjustable between at least a locking position in which the locking member holds the duvet and/or flexible material captive on the location member and an unlocking position in which the locking and location members may be separated to release the duvet and/or flexible material. The flexible material may be connected to location member 125, Fig. 37, or to locking member 149, Fig. 48. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to bedding This invention relates to bedding and more particularly to devices intended to restrain the movement of an item of bedding relative to the bed on which it is placed. The item of bedding in question is a filled cover or quilt which is positioned on top of the bed, examples being duvets or continental quiits, eiderdowns and the U.S. originating comforter (similar to a duvet but somewhat larger relative to the bed and, therefore, overhanging the bed to a greater extent around the edges thereof). Reference will be made hereinafter to duvets but it should be understood that this term is intended to cover all such quilts.

Furthermore, at least a duvet itself is normally placed inside a removable cover and the present invention is especially applicable to duvets having such a removable cover. References herein to a duvet are accordingly applicable to a duvet located inside such a removable cover.

A duvet is often simply placed on top of the bottom bed sheet and can easily slip off the sleeping person or be dislodged to the extent that the "seal" between the duvet and the bottom bed sheet is broken. Furthermore, the duvet can slip off a sleeping person when a top bed sheet is used.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for connecting a duvet (as hereinbefore defined) to flexible material, the device comprising a location member about which a portion of the duvet and the flexible material may be arranged and a locking member for location about the location member and said portions of the duvet and the flexible material, the device being adjustable between at least a locking position in which said portion of the duvet and the flexible material are held captive about said location member and an unlocking position in which the locking and location members may be separated to release the duvet and flexible material.

The flexible material may be a flap which can be attached to a portion of the bed, or bedding located on the bed, to provide a connection, via the flap, between the duvet and the bed. The flap may be such that it may be tucked under the mattress of the bed. Alternatively, the flap may be adapted for attachment to an item of bedding such as bed sheeting, for instance, a fitted bottom sheet, flat bottom sheet or a bottom sheet with a valance attached thereto or indeed to a separate valance. The manner of connection of the flap to such another item of bedding may be a device similar to that of the invention or, alternatively, it may be one element of mating connectors such as button and button holes, press-stud fastenings, touch and close fastenings (for instance VELCRO fastenings).

Alternatively, the flap may be permanently attached to an item of bedding such as a bottom sheet, valance or sheet with attached valance, the flap being detachably attachable to the duvet by means of the device of the present invention.

The flexible material may be a strip of material, whether a relatively wide flap or a rather narrower strip, habing at at least one end at least one member of the device of the invention permanently attached to said strip. Indeed such a strip of material may have at both ends at least one member of the device of the invention permanently attached thereto.

For instance, the flexible material may be a relatively wide flap having one or more rods located along one edge of the flap and held in position relative thereto. The rods may be flexible rods. The or each rod may be located within a fold of the material of the flap and held in position by stitching. Such rods form the location members of the device of the invention. A similar arrangement may be provided in the case of relatively narrow strips of material. Furthermore, such rods may have end portions such that relative longitudinal movement between the rods and their associated locking members is substantially prevented.

Particularly in the case where the flexible material is a relatively narrow strip of material the location member may be in the form of a closed oblong rod, one long side thereof being located within a folded over end of the strip of material and the other long side being for engagement with the locking member of the device of the invention.

Whatever the form of the location member, the locking member may include a substantially channel shaped portions within which may be located at least a portion of the rod and said portion of the duvet and of the flexible material.

Preferably the channel portion has a narrowed opening extending longitudinally of the channel portion, said narrowed opening preventing movement of the location member and the duvet and flexible material portions out of the channel portion when the device is in the locking position.

The locking member having a channel portion may be sufficiently deformable to allow the narrow end to be opened to admit the location member, and duvet and flexible material portions, and sufficiently resilient to return to its original position to hold these items within the channel.

Release of the items can of course be achieved by a similar deformation of the locking member.

Alternatively, the device may be so shaped and arranged to allow relative lateral movement between the location member and the locking member with channel section to relative positions in which relative longitudinal movement between the members is possible to reach the unlocking position.

In another embodiment according to the present invention relative longitudinal movement between the members of the device may be achieved without such relative lateral movement between the members, the only distance to such relative longitudinal movement being friction between the locking member and the duvet or material with which it is in contact. The locking member may have one or both ends shaped to allow such relative longitudinal movement in one or both directions.

In a further embodiment the location member may have end portions adapted to prevent relative longitudinal movement between the location member and the locking member. In this case the unlocking position is realised only by relative lateral movement between the members of the device.

In another embodiment in accordance with the present invention the location member is integral with the duvet and may in fact be beading applied along the edge, or a portion of the edge of the duvet. A piece of flexible material, such as a portion of a bed sheet, may then be located about the beading and held thereto by means of the locking member.

In a broader aspect, the present invention may be applied not just to items of bedding but to enable two pieces of flexible material to be connected together without the need for any penetration of at least one of the pieces of flexible material or any permanent attachment to at least one of the pieces of flexible material which might cause weakening of that piece of material. At least one of the pieces of flexible material may be, for instance, a sheet of polythene used, for instance, for covering purposes.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a flap with location members forming part of a device according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of a locking member for use with the flap of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an end view of the location member of Figure 2; Figures 4 to 7 show alternative embodiments of fiaps including location members forming part of devices in accordance with the present invention; Figures 8 to 34 show various views of alternative embodiments of location members and locking members of devices in accordance with the present invention; and Figures 36 to 49 show views of devices including members shown in Figures 8 to 35 and with strips of material attached thereto.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, a device in accordance with the present invention includes a flap 1 and a locking member 3. Flap 1 is made of material such as that which is used for the cover of a duvet. Along one side the edge 5 of flap 1 is turned over and stitched to the body of the flap by stitching 7.

Further lines of stitching 9, 11, 13, 15 and 1 7 define three elongate pockets 19, 21 and 23 within which are located reasonably stiff but flexible rods 25, 27 and 29, forming the location members of the device of the invention.

Locking member 3 is made of stiff but deformable and resilient plastics material.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, member 3 is elongate and of substantially channel shaped cross-section with narrowed neck portion 31.

More than one locking member 3 may be provided with a flap 1, typically three such locking members being provided.

The device shown in Figures 1 to 3 may be used to restrain movement of the duvet on a bed in the following way.

Where the duvet cover has an end opening, the duvet itself should be placed into the cover and the press-stud or other end fastening means left unfastened. The covered duvet is then placed on a flat surface and the flap 1 is located on the duvet cover with the enlarged edge (that is to say the edge incorporating the rods 25, 27 and 29) lying parallel to and not more than 7" from the open end of the duvet cover. The duvet cover is then turned back about the enlarged edge of the flap and a locking member 3 is then pushed over both the folded-over duvet cover and the enlarged edge from each end of the cover. One of the locking members is then pushed into a central position (engaging rod 27) and a further locking member pushed onto the appropriate end rod 25 or 29.

The press-studs at the end of the duvet cover are then fastened together and the duvet cover is placed on the bed with the flap being attached to its bottom side and hanging over the bottom end of the bed. The flap can then be tucked between the mattress and the bed frame.

Where the quilt cover has a side opening the above-described procedure is followed to the stage where the flap is positioned on the duvet cover. The duvet cover is then gripped adjacent the enlarged edge of the flap and pulled upwards to form a tuck or raised seam (double thickness of material) about 2" deep. The raised seam is then turned back to cover the enlarged edge of the flap and locking member 3 are then pushed onto the raised seam and enlarged edge of the flap. The duvet is then positioned on the bed and the flap tucked under the mattress as before.

By attaching the flap at a position spaced inwardly from the edge of the duvet rather than at the very edge, certain advantages are achieved.

For instance, considering by way of example, the case where a single flap is attached parallel to the bottom edge of the duvet, it will be seen that, with the flap tucked under the mattress, there is no compression of the edge portion of the duvet where it hangs doen over the end of the bed.

Furthermore, if a flap is provided at the bottom edge of the duvet and the duvet cover along that edge is provided with press-studs, enabling the insertion and extraction of the duvet, there is a tendency for these press-studs to become undone if the duvet cover is pulled up in a direction towards the pillow. However, with the flap attached at a position spaced inwardly from the edge of the duvet this tendency for the pressstuds to become undone is reduced.

In addition, because the flap is located at a position spaced from the edge of the duvet, then with the flap tucked under the mattress the portion of the flap extending from the edge of the mattress to the duvet is hidden by the hanging edge portion of the duvet. If the flap were attached to the very edge of the duvet it would tend to sag below the level of the edge of the duvet and therefore be seen giving the arrangement an unsightly appearance.

The use of a flap together with or forming part of the device of the present invention has the advantage, in addition to enabling the duvet to be held in position on the bed, that heat loss from the bed is reduced.

It should be understood that a device in accordance with the present invention such as described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 may be attached additionally or alternatively adjacent the side edges of a duvet.

As an alternative to tucking a flap such as flap 1 under the mattress, the flap may have attached thereto weights so that with the flap hanging down the side of the bed the tendency of the duvet to move relative to the bed is again reduced.

Furthermore, the flap may be in the form of a bag so that, if desired, weights may be placed in the bag. In another embodiment of a device in accordance with the present invention a flap, such as flap 1, may be provided with a plurality of one of the elements of fasteners such as button and button holes, press studs or touch and close fastenings such as VELCRO fastenings. The other of the elements may be located on an item of bedding which is substantially fixed relative to the bed, for instance, a bed sheet, a valance or a sheet with a valance attached thereto.

Referring to Figure 4, a flap 31 may have a folded over and stitched into position end 33 forming an end slot. This slot is sufficiently large to accommodate locking members 35 which are in the form of stiff plastics rods with ends turned over at right angles. These locking members are shown in more detail in Figure 8 and they may be fixed permanently into slot 33, for instance, by stitching, or they may be removable therefrom.

Figure 5 shows a flap 37 with end slots 39 and 41 provided in opposite sides of the flap, each end slot being for accommodation of a plurality (three shown in Figure 5) of locking members such as the locking members shown in Figure 8. It will be seen that the flap of Figure 5 is considerably shorter than that of Figure 4. The latter is intended at its free end to be tucked under the mattress of the bed whereas the flap of Figure 5 is intended at one end to be attached to a duvet and at the other end to another item of bedding such as a fitted bottom sheet.

Flap 43 shown in Figure 6 is of a size similar to that of the flap 37 of Figure 5. However, flap 43 is provided adjacent that side of the end slot 45 with buttons or button holes 47 of which the corresponding mating elements are provided on another item of bedding such as a fitted bottom sheet.

Figure 7 shows a further flap 49 with a line of stitching 51 adjacent that side of the flap opposite end slot 53, this line of stitching illustrating that flap 49 is intended to be sewn to an item of bedding such as a fitted bottom sheet. Flap 49 may indeed be in the form of a valance and form part of the valancing around the bed.

The flaps and locating members shown in Figures 4 to 8 may be used with the locking member 60 shown in Figures 9 to 11. This locking member is similar to that shown in Figures 2 and 3 although the neck portion 31 of the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3 is replaced by an opening 61 provided in an otherwise substantially rectangular cross-section member. At each end of locking member 60 adjacent opening 61, the material of locking member 61 is shaped to provide smooth curved ends 63 and 65 as shown in Figure 9 and the substantially V-shaped end cutouts 67 and 69 as shown in Figure- 1 0.

In an alternative embodiment of a locking member as shown in Figures 12 and 13 only one end 71 is shaped in this way. The other end 73 is provided with substantially right angular corners adjacent opening 75.

Figure 14 illustrates the manner in which the locking member of Figures 12 and 13 can be located over the central portion 77 of locating member 35. This is achieved by aligning the locking member longitudinally with said central portion 77 of locating member 35 and pushing the locking member in the direction shown by the arrow in Figure 14 so that the locking member deforms sufficiently to allow it to be slid across turned over end 79 of locating member 35. It will be appreciated that curved end 71 facilitates this deformation and engagement of the two members in this way would be more difficult if it is attempted to apply it that other way round, that is to say, with end 73 being pushed over turned over portion 79 of locking member 35.Figures 1 5 and 1 6 are end and side elevations illustrating the locking member in position over the locating member.

The locking member of Figures 9 to 11 may be pushed onto locating member 35 by either end since both ends 63 and 65 are shaped to facilitate the appropriate deformation of the locking member.

It is not necessary for the locating member to be in the form of an open rod, whether a completely straight rod or one with turned over ends. The locating member shown in Figures 17 and 1 8 is in the form of a closed loop of plastics rods similar to that of the locating member of Figure 8, the loop being elongate and substantially rectangular in shape. It may be used in the same way as the locating member of Figure 8.

The locating member shown in Figures 1 9 and 20 is similar to that of Figures 17 and 18 being substantially rectangular, but in this case it is a solid member having an enlarged and rounded periphery 81.

The locating member shown in Figures 21 and 22 is particularly for use with a locking member which, while it may have the same shape as, for instance, the locking member shown in Figures 9 and 11, is not deformable. The locating member 83 is similar to the locating member of Figure 7 but is provided with two pairs of narrow recesses 85 aligned longitudinally at positions on the short sides of locking member 83 adjacent one of the long sides 87. For each short side of the locking member 83, the recesses are displaced vertically relative to one another.Figure 22 illustrates the engagement of locating member 83 with locking member 89 by aligning the edges of locking member 89, defining the narrowed opening thereof, with a pair of the recesses 85 and sliding the locking member 89, defining the narrowed opening thereof, with a pair of the recesses 85 and sliding the locking member in a direction towards the other recess until the first recess is cleared. In order to disengage the members the edges of the locking member 89 must again be aligned with one of the recesses 85. In a further embodiment only one pair of recesses 85, or indeed only a single recess, may be provided on the locating member. Furthermore, the recesses of a pair of recesses need not necessarily be offset as in the above-described embodiment.

The locating member shown in Figures 23 and 24 is similar to that of Figures 1 9 and 20 but, as with the locating member of Figures 21 and 22, is provided with recesses to enable a nondeformable locking member to be used.

The locking member shown in Figures 25 and 26 is similar to that of Figure 8 although instead of being in the form of a rod with turned over ends it is a solid rectangular body when viewed in plan having an enlarged and rounded periphery extending about both short sides and one of the long sides.

Figures 27 and 28 show a locking member similar to that of Figures 9 to 11 but provided with a pair of slits 91 located near the base of the member on each side wall thereof. Such an arrangement enables a strip or ribbon of flexible material to be attached to the locking member as will be described hereinafter.

The locking member of Figure 29 is similar to that of Figures 27 and 28 except that only one of the ends is rounded adjacent the narrowed opening.

The locking member of Figures 30 to 32 is similar to that shown in Figures 27 and 28 except that the two pairs of slits 92 are replaced by a single pair of slits 93 located in the base of the locking member.

Referring to Figures 33 and 34 a strip or ribbon of material 101 is provided with end slots 103 and 105 at oppositely disposed short ends thereof.

Located within these end slots are locating members 107 and 109 similar to locating member 35 shown in Figure 8. Use of locking members such as that shown in Figures 9 to 11 will enable ribbon 101 to be attached at one end to a duvet and at the other end to an item of bedding such as a fitted sheet located on the bed.

Referring to Figure 35 a ribbon 111 is provided at one end with an end slot 113 and locating member 11 5 and at the other end with button holes 11 7 so that the ribbon may be attached at one end to a duvet and at the other end to an item of bedding such as a fitted sheet, one of the duvet and the fitted sheet having buttons for engagement with button holes 117. The button and button hole fastenings may of course be replaced by other types of fastenings as mentioned above.

Ribbon 119 shown in Figure 36 is similar, though somewhat longer, than ribbon 111 of Figure 35 except that the button holes at one end are replaced by a line of stitching 121 indicating the permanent attachment of ribbon 11 9 to one of the duvet and another item of bedding such as a fitted bed sheet.

Figures 37 and 38 illustrate an arrangement including ribbon 123 and, at at least one end thereof, a locating member 125 in the form of a closed loop similar to that shown in Figure 1 7. In Figures 39 and 40 the arrangement is similar but in this case the location member is similar to that of Figure 33 being provided with an elongate slot 127 through which the end slot 129 of ribbon 131 passes.

Figures 44 and 45 illustrate the attachment of a ribbon 133 to a locking member 135 which is similar to that shown in Figures 30 to 32. An end of ribbon 133 is formed into two end slots 137 and 139 each of narrow width and each passing through one of the slits of locking member 135.

Figures 45 and 47 show an arrangement in which ribbon 141 is attached to a locking member 143 having an elongate slot in the base thereof, the end 145 of ribbon 141 being enlarged to prevent a separation of locking member 143 and ribbon 141.

Figures 48 and 49 show the connection together of ribbon 147 and locking member 149, an end slot 151 passing through elongate slits 1 53 located near the base of locking member 141 in the side walls thereof.

Figure 50 is a diagrammatic plan view of a bed having a bed sheet 161 and showing the positions of locating members 163 which may be used together with corresponding locking members to secure a duvet to the bed. One or more such locating members, together with corresponding locking members may be used, Figure 50 only illustrating possible positions for the devices. The or each locating member may be for use with a locking member for securing the bed sheet directly to the duvet or the connection may be via a ribbon such as ribbon 165.

Figures 51 to 53 illustrate the various possible ways in which the duvet may be engaged by the device of the invention. Where the device is attached to the duvet at a position spaced from an edge thereof a steam or tuck 1 71 may be taken in a direction inwardly towards the opposite side of the duvet. Alternatively a seam or tuck 1 73 may be taken in a direction away from the opposite side of a duvet. As shown in Figure 53 the engagement of the duvet with the device of the invention may be at the very edge of the duvet.

Figures 54 to 56 illustrate the connection of the duvet 175 to a bed sheet 177 in manners corresponding to Figures 51 to 53. In each case the locating member is in the form of a rod 179 with bent over ends and the locking member 181 is in the form of a deformable channel section member such as is illustrated in Figures 9 to 11.

Figure 54 corresponds to Figure 51 and shows the duvet cover 1 75 and bed sheet 177 being located about rod 1 79 and being held in position by locking member 181. Locking member 181 is located within the duvet and rod 1 79 outside the duvet. The position is reversed in Figure 55 which corresponds to Figure 52. In Figure 56 the rod is located inside the duvet at an edge thereof and this figure corresponds to Figure 53.

Claims (23)

1. A device for connecting a duvet (as herein defined) to flexible material, the device comprising a location member about which a portion of the duvet and/or the flexible material may be arranged and a locking member for location about the location member and said portion or portions of the duvet and/or flexible material, the device being adjustable between at least a locking position in which said portion or portions of the duvet and/or flexible material are held captive about said location member and an unlocking position in which the locking and location members may be separated to release the duvet and/or flexible material.

2. A device according to claim 1 in which the flexible member is a flap which may be attached to a portion of the bed, or bedding located on the bed.

3. A device according to claim 2 in which the flap is, in use, tucked under the mattress of the bed.

4. A device according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the flap has at or near one edge thereof an enlarged edge portion forming the location member, and the locking member is adapted and shaped to embrace the enlarged edge portion and a portion of the duvet.

5. A device according to claim 4 in which the enlarged edge portion is in the form of one or more rods located along one edge of the flap.

6. A device according to claim 5 wherein the or each rod is located within a fold of the material of the flap.

7. A device according to claim 6 wherein the or each rod is held in position within the fold by stitching.

8. A device according to claim 6 wherein the or each rod is removable from the fold of the flap.

9. A device according to claim 1 wherein the flexible material is a strip of material and said strip has attached to at least one end thereof at least one member of the device of the invention.

10. A device according to claim 9 wherein said strip of material has attached to both ends at least one member of the device of the invention.

11. A device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the location member is in the form of a substantially straight rod.

12. A device according to any of claims 1 to 10 wherein the location member is in the form of a rod having turned over ends.

13. A device according to any of claims 1 to 10 wherein the location member is a rod in the form of a closed loop.

14. A device according to any of claims 1 to 10 wherein the location member is substantially rectangular in shape having a relatively narrow central portion and a thickened edge portion extending along at least one edge thereof.

15. A device according to claim 14 wherein the thickened edge portion extends around at least three sides of the location member.

1 6. A device according to claim 14 wherein the thickened edge portion extends around the entire periphery of the location member.

1 7. A device according to any of claims 1 to 10 wherein the location member is a rod in the form of a closed loop having at least one recess extending across at least one side close to a next adjacent side and parallel to said next adjacent side.

1 8. A device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the locking member has a channel section portion such that at least the portion of the location member and said portion of the duvet and/or flexible material may be located within the channel portion.

1 9. A device according to claim 1 8 wherein the channel portion of the locking member has a narrowed opening extending longitudinally of the locking member preventing movement of the location member and the duvet and/or flexible material out of the channel portion when the device is in the locking position.

20. A device according to claim 19 wherein the locking member is sufficiently deformable to allow the narrowed end to be opened to admit the location member and the duvet and/or flexible material and sufficiently resilient to return to its original position to hold said location member and duvet and/or flexible material within the channel portion.

21. A device according to any of claims 18 to 20 wherein the locking member may be moved longitudinally relative to the location member to said unlocking position in which the location member and the locking member are separated.

22. A device according to claim 1 and substantially as herein described.

23. A device for connecting a duvet (as herein defined) to flexible material, the device or a part thereof being substantially as described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.